Baseball Musings
Baseball Musings
May 24, 2007
Why NY Needs a First Baseman

Larry Brown reports on Helton to the Yankees rumors, but gets the reason wrong:

I guess with the struggles of Jason Giambi, the Yankees could have a use for Helton.

Giambi's OBA is .386. That's not that big a struggle. The problem is Doug Mientkiewicz's .302 OBA. He's the problem at first base, not Giambi.


Posted by David Pinto at 01:55 PM | Trades | TrackBack (0)
Comments

I think it's fair to say that both players present significant problems. Giambi's OBA may be good but his RBI totals are not - currently tied for 6th on the team. He's even behind Abreu who is off to a miserable start. Did A-rod steal a lot of his RBI's? Maybe, but not since the 3rd week of April. The Yanks need him to drive runs in, not walk (leads team). Add his dismal defense and that's a bad combo.

Minky is a fine defender but all too often brings a wet newspaper to the plate instead of a Louisville Slugger. Before the season I guessed that this lineup could overcome a weak bat at 1st (Minky). I was wrong. Aside from Jeter and Posada, every batter has struggled either mightily (Abreu, Cano) or somehwhat (A-rod, Giambi, Damon, Matsui).

And finally, both swing lefty in a lefty-dominated lineup.

Posted by: crg at May 24, 2007 02:28 PM

Wow, I could hardly disagree more, crg. Giambi's slugging .435, which is certainly below his standards but isn't awful. (Slugging is what the batter contributes to his own rbi; the rest is contributed by who's on base ahead of him, or by luck.) And sure, he's a lefty, but (a) so is Helton, so that couldn't be a reason for going after Todd, and (b) lefty is *good* for a slugger who plays half his games in Yankee Stadium! (Did you think it was a coincidence, or bad planning, that the Bombers are loaded with lefty bats?)
So, in short, I'm with Pinto on this one. I'd be happy to get Helton before the trade deadline.

Posted by: James at May 24, 2007 02:43 PM

RBI....totals? That's not indicative of Giambi's struggles. That's indicative of his place in the lineup and the successes or failures of those hitting in front of him. The .435 slugging is bad. My suggestion is to stick him at first base. He always hits better playing the field. If that doesn't work or if his foot isn't healthy enough for it, then maybe considering going after Helton but only if the price is right.

Posted by: Ben K. at May 24, 2007 03:07 PM

Mmm, just what the Yankees need, another really expensive guy in his early-to-mid 30s. I know they can afford it, but their biggest problem (this year and longer-term) is overdependence on aging ballplayers. Helton may provide a boost this year, but he'll be another albatross down the road. And as an added bonus, his statistics are significantly inflated by his home park. Away from Coors, he's a good player, not a great one.

Besides, the Yanks need pitching, not more offense (even with the Rocket on his way). If Cashman is as smart as he's supposed to be, that's where he will make a move.

Posted by: jvwalt at May 24, 2007 04:24 PM

Cashman should hold tight, let his pitching staff get healthy, and watch his team win a ton of games in the last 2/3 of the season. It's been a rough year, but they're still hovering around .500. If they can get through May still around the same level, they should beat up on the little teams pretty well in June and July and be right in the thick of things like they always are, even if it's for the Wild Card.

Posted by: michael at May 24, 2007 07:46 PM
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